Mayors of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and Irving said Wednesday morning at a press conference that they hope to implement permanent watering restrictions by this summer that would limit sprinkler systems to twice weekly.

“There are a lot of details and exceptions to this,” Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings said at the conference at the DFW Airport administrative offices. “That’s not the point, the point is we’re going to do this.”

They four mayors said that it is important for water conservation for North Texas to implement restrictions, despite rising lake levels and the recent abundant rain.

“Eventually we’re going to hit another drought,” said Arlington mayor Robert Cluck. “It might be next year it might be in 10 years, but I wholeheartedly believe in limiting” watering to twice a week. “Anything more than twice a week is excessive.”

The mayors, who met earlier this year about making these restrictions into ordinances, said they have spoken to many experts who said the average lawn does not need more than one inch of water per week.

Currently the four cities supply water for more than 4 million customers. In Dallas, current water supplies are anticipated to meet demand through 2035, according to Rawlings. If the watering restrictions are implemented, water supplies could be extended to 2045.

Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne said the restrictions would not limit hand watering or drip irrigation systems. The plans will be presented to the four city councils over the next few weeks, and the mayors expect the regional plan will be effective in June.

Citizens have written to Mayor Cluck, he said, concerned about the restrictions.

“They tell me ‘we have all the water we need, why do we have to limit,’” Cluck said. “Well, we want to make sure that continues.”

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples heads a list of state and local officials who will meet in Mesquite this morning to discuss water conservation needs.

Even as recent rains have helped the area recover from one of the worst drought years on record, the state water plan dictates nearly 25 percent of future water needs will be met through water conservation.

A statewide consumer awareness effort will be announced at 10:30 at The Home Depot in Mesquite. Also expected to attend is Jim Parks, executive director of the North Texas Municipal Water District, which serves most of Collin County and the area’s northern and eastern suburbs.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board will also be represented.

Stage 1 water restrictions take effect in Dallas today, prohibiting residents and businesses from watering their lawns more than twice a week.

It’s the first time in five years that such restrictions have been implemented by Dallas Water Utilities, and tighter restrictions could be on the horizon.

Under the restrictions, homeowners and businesses with addresses ending in an even number can water only on Sundays and Thursdays, while those with odd-numbered addresses can water only on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Violators face fines between $200 and $2,000 but probably would only get a warning the first time. Residents can report violations by calling 311.

Other Texas cities began conserving earlier this year, amid the state’s driest year on record. Even so, the city’s water supply stands at 75 percent, and neighboring utilities are likely to buy water from DWU, which serves Dallas and 20 nearby cities.